26 July 2023 , 18:38
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Sinéad O'Connor's family have issued a heartbreaking statement after the singer's death aged 56.
Her family said they were "devastated" at the Irish icon's passing, writing: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a new arrangement of Prince's song "Nothing Compares 2 U".
Her death comes after she announced the death of her son Shane, 17, in January 2022. She took to Twitter, sharing: "My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God.
Sinead O'Connor in her iconic Nothing Compares 2U video (VEVO/YouTube / Avalon)"May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace." The pair are said to have shared a close bond, with many commenting on their striking similarity in looks.
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In her final social media post, Sinead tweeted a picture of her late son and wrote: "Been living as undead night creature since. . He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost without him."
Tributes have flooded in for Sinead, with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar saying: "Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor. Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music. Ar dheis De go Raibh a hAnam."
Sinead O'Connor with her son ShaneDara O'Briain told his Twitter followers: "Ah sh**e, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her."
Born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a new arrangement of Prince's song "Nothing Compares 2 U".
Her interest in music began in 1979, when at the age of 15 her shoplifting and truancy issues led to her being placed in a Magdalene Asylum, for 18 months. It was here she started to develop her writing and music and was subsequently “discovered” by the drummer of popular Irish band Tua Nua, where she went on to co-write their song Take My Hand.
O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra (NY Daily News via Getty Images)In 1985 while performing in a band called Ton Ton Macoute she left and moved to London where she was signed to Ensign records.
At the age of 20, while recording her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, she became pregnant by her session drummer John Reynolds.They had a son, Jake, and married in 1987.
Her first album was hailed "a sensation", reaching gold record status and earning O’Connor a Grammy nomination. Upon the release of her second album – 1990's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got – she had formed the identity with which we’ve come to associate her - in particular, her trademark shaved head.